Gandharan Stelae

Stelae, Gandharan, 2nd-3rd century

This is a Gandharan piece dating from the 2nd or 3rd century.  The depiction of the female is characteristic of the style.  Many of the females depicted in Gandharan art have an over exaggerated hourglass figure and are adorned with jewels.  The majority of images portraying women in Gandhara and related art were made by and for men.  Traditionally, in Buddhism, women were seen as objects of desire.  The depiction of the female in this piece illustrates this ideal.  The most prominent feature she possesses are her breasts, which are highlighted by the tray she is holding.  These types of images influenced how women saw themselves in society.